Review: Lost Lantern Spring 2025 Finish Collection Releases

By Jacob Kiper | April 12, 2025 |

Lost Lantern, an independent bottler based in Vergennes, Vermont, has earned a well-deserved reputation for curating some of the most exceptional single barrels of straight whiskeys from the finest small distilleries across the United States. Known for their commitment to quality, Lost Lantern has often stayed true to the purist’s preference for unaltered bourbon and rye. However, the rising trend of finishing whiskey has become a force that’s hard to ignore.

Enter the Lost Lantern Spring 2025 Finish Collection. This release features six distinct whiskeys, each sourced from one of the country’s top craft distilleries, with the added twist of a unique finishing cask. While finishing casks are certainly not new to the whiskey world, the diversity of casks used in this collection is something you don’t see every day. Lost Lantern is giving whiskey enthusiasts a rare opportunity to explore flavors that aren’t commonly found in the industry.

This collection spans six distilleries across five states, with each expression being non-chill filtered, bottled at cask strength, and free from added colorants. But while Lost Lantern’s track record speaks for itself, one question remains: Are these unconventional finishing casks truly the next big thing, or are they just a passing trend? Let’s dive in and see if these unique expressions live up to the hype and if they might inspire other distillers to step outside the box.

Lost Lantern Opulent Orchard New York Distilling Apple Brandy Finished Straight Rye Review

Opulent Orchard is a revisit to Lost Lantern’s earlier release from New York Distilling, showcasing a 7-year-old blend of ryes finished in apple brandy casks. With a mashbill of 72% rye, 16% corn, and 12% malted barley, this expression opens with the aroma of earthy stewed apples, which quickly give way to a complex nose of black pepper, cloves, sassafras, and honey.

On the palate, the tartness of green apples is the star, paired with lively allspice and a subtle sweetness of sugar cookies and peppermint. A dry mouthfeel creates an intriguing contrast, leading to a finish packed with black pepper, green apple Jolly Ranchers, lemon juice, and a touch of anise. The balance of rye spice and tart apple flavors makes for a captivating, well-rounded whiskey. While it’s a standout expression, the finish could use a touch more depth, but it remains a truly delightful rye. 114.9 proof. A- / $100

Lost Lantern Watershed Nocino Finished Ohio Straight Bourbon 8 Years Old Review

Watershed Distillery’s nocino cask-finished bourbon is an exceptional annual release that continues to impress. Nocino is a liqueur made by steeping unripe black walnuts in alcohol, then adding simple syrup and spices to make a thick, wintery drink. In this case, the bourbon is finished in those nocino casks, giving it a unique and rich character. Made with a mashbill of 72% corn, 21% rye, and 7% malted barley, the bourbon spends nearly 9 years maturing—3 years and 8 months in a #5 char barrel, followed by an additional 4 years and 7 months in nocino casks.

The nose opens with aromas of candy bar nougat and Werther’s Originals, alongside darker notes of bitter dark chocolate and toasted hazelnuts. The palate is lush, with basil and black licorice leading the charge, while burnt brown sugar and prunes add depth. The mouthfeel is dense and velvety, complementing the rich flavors. The finish is long and complex, with burnt orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lingering coffee notes that add a tannic complexity.

This beautifully crafted bourbon offers a perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and depth. Thanks to Lost Lantern, whiskey lovers outside of Columbus, Ohio now have the opportunity to experience this remarkable release. 126.5 proof. A / $90

Lost Lantern Starlight Honey Finished Indiana Straight Bourbon Review

Starlight Distillery, in Southern Indiana, is renowned for its unique whiskey finishes, and the honey cask finish is a standout. This bourbon is a blend of two mashbills: 60% corn, 20% rye, 20% malted barley; and 51% corn, 20% rye, 20% malted barley, and 9% wheat. It’s aged for four years, then finished for three months in Huber Farms honey casks.

The nose opens with a balanced honey aroma, not overly sweet, followed by vanilla, maple syrup, and a hint of floral notes. The palate mirrors the nose, starting with honey and nutmeg. As it settles, green apple and strawberry present, adding a fresh, fruity twist. The finish is pleasant, with allspice and jasmine tea, and a lingering trace of honey.

Starlight’s honey finish is expertly done—sweet without being overpowering, with layers of complexity. This is by far the best honey-finished bourbon I’ve tasted, offering a harmonious blend of honey, fruit, spice, and floral notes. A must-try for any bourbon enthusiast. 110 proof. A / $80

Lost Lantern Finger Lakes Distilling Pommeau Finished New York Straight Rye Review

New York Distilling honors the state’s rich booze history with its rye whiskey and pommeau, made in collaboration with Finger Lakes Cider House. The whiskey features an 80% rye and 20% malted barley mashbill, aged for six years before being finished in pommeau casks for three months. Pommeau, a blend of apple brandy and apple cider, highlights New York’s famous orchards, while the distillery’s low barrel entry proof is a signature style.

The nose opens with a burst of tart apple, quickly followed by allspice, peaches, and a hint of cocoa powder, creating a enjoyable mix of fruit and spice. On the palate, juicy apples and rich butterscotch lead the way, with lemon juice and mint appearing in the midpalate, adding a refreshing contrast to the sweetness. The finish brings back apple juice notes, complemented by maple syrup and a touch of lemon juice, leaving a clean and fruity aftertaste.

New York Distilling’s rye whiskey serves as an excellent base, but the low cask strength proof means the rye flavor is a bit overshadowed by the bold apple notes. While the apple influence is vibrant and enjoyable, the rye’s full potential gets somewhat lost in the mix. Still, this is a unique and flavorful whiskey worth trying. 91.7 proof. B+ / $100

Lost Lantern Santa Fe Spirits Apple Brandy Finished New Mexico Single Malt Review

Santa Fe Spirits has rebranded its whiskeys, previously marketed as Colkegan, and now offers a distinctive single malt with a twist. A unique blend, 30% of the malted barley is mesquite-smoked, bringing an added layer of flavor. The whiskey is aged for 3.5 years in a 53-gallon barrel before being transferred to a 10-gallon barrel that previously held apple brandy distilled by Santa Fe.

The nose opens with bold aromas of bacon and stewed apples, quickly joined by hints of ginger ale and pound cake, creating a warm, comforting profile. On the palate, orange zest and smoke lead the way, followed by a progression of stewed apples and the nostalgic taste of Apple Jacks breakfast cereal. The finish delivers lovely notes of canned pears and cinnamon chewing gum, leaving a sweet, spicy aftertaste.

The Apple Jacks cereal note is especially unique and pleasing, making this one of the best releases from Santa Fe Spirits. With its balance of smokiness, fruit, and sweetness, this is a standout whiskey, along with the 2024 bottling from independent bottler American Single Cask. 110.1 proof. A- / $100

Lost Lantern Andalusia Tequila Finished Peated Texas Single Malt Review

While Kentucky is the Mecca of bourbon, Texas is carving out a reputation for excellence in American single malts, and Andalusia Whiskey is among the best. This unique bottling features a mashbill of 100% malted barley, with 10% lightly peated with Irish peat. After 2.5 years of maturation in a cask that previously held Andalusia’s wood-smoked Stryker single malt, it’s finished in an ex-Anejo tequila cask for six months.

On the nose, you’ll find a dance of hay, smoke, and a nostalgic waft of Honey Smacks cereal. As it opens up, the scents evolve to reveal sage and shortbread cookies. The palate brings forward grassy notes, almond extract, and a delightful blend of smoke, rosemary, and pickled ginger, all wrapped in a dense mouthfeel. The finish is equally layered, with cocoa powder and a touch of maple syrup, leaving lingering notes of white grape juice and tobacco.

For those seeking the next great Texas single malt, Andalusia is a must-try. The tequila barrel finish, a concept that might raise eyebrows among bourbon fans, proves to be a perfect match for this unique whiskey. 122.3 proof. A- / $100